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拍品专文
Carved emeralds held great significance for Indian royalty, particularly during the Mughal dynasty and thereafter, due to deeply rooted cultural and aesthetic traditions.
Fine large emeralds were unknown until their discovery in Colombia by the Spanish Conquistadors during the 16th and 17th centuries. They were extremely popular in all three of the great Islamic empires of the time: Ottoman Turks, the Safavid Persians and Mughal Indians; so much so that none appear to have been retained at the time in Europe.
Emeralds were brought to India by Spanish and Portegese merchants as trade goods during the Mughal dynasty. They were highly prized for many reasons, specifically their rich green color – a color in Islam that represents paradise, life and renewal.
Used as beads or as part of artifacts, these stones were often large in size but, by nature, internally flawed, making them unsuitable for traditional faceting. Rather than discarding imperfect areas, artisans skillfully carved intricate designs into the stones, transforming each emerald into a unique artistic creation that maximized its visual and symbolic value.
By the 17th century, master carvers in Jaipur produced refined and intricate emerald carvings with floral motifs that derived from architecture of the time. With great precision they carved each stone to bring out the full color and beauty of the stone.
Mughal rulers had a strong appreciation for intricate craftsmanship and detailed ornamentation. Gemstone carvings of floral patterns, religious motifs, and inscriptions resonated with the region’s artistic sensibilities and symbolic language. Additionally, many carved emeralds bore Islamic inscriptions, such as verses from the Quran, or Hindu imagery, reflecting the religious beliefs of the maharajas and adding a sacred dimension to the jewelry. This spiritual layer elevated the gemstones beyond decoration, filling them with personal and devotional significance.
Like important spinels, some emeralds were inscribed with names of their owners as they were handed down from generation to generation signifying their power, authority and wealth. Set in turbans, necklaces, bazubands or ceremonial daggers, these stones were not only luxurious but also distinct, enhancing a ruler’s prestige through rarity and artistic uniqueness while offering protection.
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Born into the nomadic lifestyle of the Afshar tribe in the late 17th century, Nader Shah rose above his humble beginnings. After the premature death of his father, Nader was forced to make his own way in the world and sought advancement through his skill as a military tactician. As the Persian Safavid dynasty crumbled in the early 18th century, chaos erupted in the region and warring factions clamored for power. Nader built up his own army in response and in the spring of 1730 he launched his first campaign, regaining much of the Persian territory lost to the Ottomans and Afghan tribes. With the Safavids in a weakened position without his support, Nader collected powerful statesmen to promote his ultimate rise to become Shah of Persia in 1736, establishing the Afsharid dynasty.
Nader’s political and military ambitions led to campaigns across the Ottoman Empire, present-day Afghanistan, and into Mughal India. Over the course of his reign, Nader Shah acquired an impressive collection of precious gems and jewels with origin of ownership varying from gifts from foreign leaders to plunder from successful war campaigns. After conquering Kandahar, Kabul, Delhi and several other principalities, Nader Shah returned to Persia with some of his most prized accolades including the Samarian spinel, the Daria-i-Noor and Koh-i-Noor diamonds and the infamous Peacock Throne. These crown jewels would become synonymous with Nader’s sovereign strength over the region.
The present series of emeralds (Lot 41) centers upon an impressively sized 470 carat emerald with a carving of floral motif. The design emulates the popular architectural styles of 17th century Mughal India, masterfully carved to best bring out the full color and beauty of the stone. Its impressive size and precise craftsmanship, along with it’s ideal rich Colombian color, would have made it an ideal prize for Nader Shah following his 1739 capture of Delhi and subsequent control over the Mughal royal treasury.
Nader Shah’s rule came to an abrupt end just as violent as its beginning. Revolts broke out in response to his increasingly cruel domestic policies, culminating with his assassination on 20 June 1747. In the aftermath of his death, the Afsharid Empire would splinter with various new principalities that would be established in its place.
Ahmad Shah Durrani, a trusted cavalry commander to one of Nader’s regiments during his invasion of Mughal India, seized the opportunity for power in the wake of Nader’s death. In the span of a few weeks Ahmad Shah rallied tribal leaders, was elected shah and symbolically changed his tribe’s name from Abdali to Durrani, thus establishing the Durrani Empire. Regarded by many to be the father of modern Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah adopted the title “Durr-i Durrān”, meaning “Pearl of Pearls”.
Ahmad Shah was a charismatic leader and seasoned warrior whose initial focus was on consolidating power within Afghanistan. He skillfully united various tribes, many of which were known for their independence and tribal loyalty rather than allegiance to a central authority. Through a mixture of diplomacy and tradition, he brought unity to a region that had long been fragmented. Unlike rulers who relied solely on fear tactics, Ahmad Shah governed through respect and mutual tribal bonds, earning the loyalty of diverse regions and communities. His leadership of the Durrani empire laid the foundation for the modern Afghan state. He is widely remembered as a unifier and national hero whose dynasty ruled Afghanistan well into the 19th century.
Legend tells of Nader Shah bequeathing generals and nobles jewels from his trove in exchange for their loyalty. It is possible that the 470 carat emerald was given to Ahmad Shah as such a reward. As both Nader Shah and the Mughal emperors used impressive stones as a display of opulence and power, Ahmad Shah utilized the tradition of stone inscription to record provenance of importance. The reverse of this emerald is inscribed ‘Ahmad Shah Durr-i Durran’, forever connecting an important man to this important gem.
Fine large emeralds were unknown until their discovery in Colombia by the Spanish Conquistadors during the 16th and 17th centuries. They were extremely popular in all three of the great Islamic empires of the time: Ottoman Turks, the Safavid Persians and Mughal Indians; so much so that none appear to have been retained at the time in Europe.
Emeralds were brought to India by Spanish and Portegese merchants as trade goods during the Mughal dynasty. They were highly prized for many reasons, specifically their rich green color – a color in Islam that represents paradise, life and renewal.
Used as beads or as part of artifacts, these stones were often large in size but, by nature, internally flawed, making them unsuitable for traditional faceting. Rather than discarding imperfect areas, artisans skillfully carved intricate designs into the stones, transforming each emerald into a unique artistic creation that maximized its visual and symbolic value.
By the 17th century, master carvers in Jaipur produced refined and intricate emerald carvings with floral motifs that derived from architecture of the time. With great precision they carved each stone to bring out the full color and beauty of the stone.
Mughal rulers had a strong appreciation for intricate craftsmanship and detailed ornamentation. Gemstone carvings of floral patterns, religious motifs, and inscriptions resonated with the region’s artistic sensibilities and symbolic language. Additionally, many carved emeralds bore Islamic inscriptions, such as verses from the Quran, or Hindu imagery, reflecting the religious beliefs of the maharajas and adding a sacred dimension to the jewelry. This spiritual layer elevated the gemstones beyond decoration, filling them with personal and devotional significance.
Like important spinels, some emeralds were inscribed with names of their owners as they were handed down from generation to generation signifying their power, authority and wealth. Set in turbans, necklaces, bazubands or ceremonial daggers, these stones were not only luxurious but also distinct, enhancing a ruler’s prestige through rarity and artistic uniqueness while offering protection.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Born into the nomadic lifestyle of the Afshar tribe in the late 17th century, Nader Shah rose above his humble beginnings. After the premature death of his father, Nader was forced to make his own way in the world and sought advancement through his skill as a military tactician. As the Persian Safavid dynasty crumbled in the early 18th century, chaos erupted in the region and warring factions clamored for power. Nader built up his own army in response and in the spring of 1730 he launched his first campaign, regaining much of the Persian territory lost to the Ottomans and Afghan tribes. With the Safavids in a weakened position without his support, Nader collected powerful statesmen to promote his ultimate rise to become Shah of Persia in 1736, establishing the Afsharid dynasty.
Nader’s political and military ambitions led to campaigns across the Ottoman Empire, present-day Afghanistan, and into Mughal India. Over the course of his reign, Nader Shah acquired an impressive collection of precious gems and jewels with origin of ownership varying from gifts from foreign leaders to plunder from successful war campaigns. After conquering Kandahar, Kabul, Delhi and several other principalities, Nader Shah returned to Persia with some of his most prized accolades including the Samarian spinel, the Daria-i-Noor and Koh-i-Noor diamonds and the infamous Peacock Throne. These crown jewels would become synonymous with Nader’s sovereign strength over the region.
The present series of emeralds (Lot 41) centers upon an impressively sized 470 carat emerald with a carving of floral motif. The design emulates the popular architectural styles of 17th century Mughal India, masterfully carved to best bring out the full color and beauty of the stone. Its impressive size and precise craftsmanship, along with it’s ideal rich Colombian color, would have made it an ideal prize for Nader Shah following his 1739 capture of Delhi and subsequent control over the Mughal royal treasury.
Nader Shah’s rule came to an abrupt end just as violent as its beginning. Revolts broke out in response to his increasingly cruel domestic policies, culminating with his assassination on 20 June 1747. In the aftermath of his death, the Afsharid Empire would splinter with various new principalities that would be established in its place.
Ahmad Shah Durrani, a trusted cavalry commander to one of Nader’s regiments during his invasion of Mughal India, seized the opportunity for power in the wake of Nader’s death. In the span of a few weeks Ahmad Shah rallied tribal leaders, was elected shah and symbolically changed his tribe’s name from Abdali to Durrani, thus establishing the Durrani Empire. Regarded by many to be the father of modern Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah adopted the title “Durr-i Durrān”, meaning “Pearl of Pearls”.
Ahmad Shah was a charismatic leader and seasoned warrior whose initial focus was on consolidating power within Afghanistan. He skillfully united various tribes, many of which were known for their independence and tribal loyalty rather than allegiance to a central authority. Through a mixture of diplomacy and tradition, he brought unity to a region that had long been fragmented. Unlike rulers who relied solely on fear tactics, Ahmad Shah governed through respect and mutual tribal bonds, earning the loyalty of diverse regions and communities. His leadership of the Durrani empire laid the foundation for the modern Afghan state. He is widely remembered as a unifier and national hero whose dynasty ruled Afghanistan well into the 19th century.
Legend tells of Nader Shah bequeathing generals and nobles jewels from his trove in exchange for their loyalty. It is possible that the 470 carat emerald was given to Ahmad Shah as such a reward. As both Nader Shah and the Mughal emperors used impressive stones as a display of opulence and power, Ahmad Shah utilized the tradition of stone inscription to record provenance of importance. The reverse of this emerald is inscribed ‘Ahmad Shah Durr-i Durran’, forever connecting an important man to this important gem.